Saturday, June 7, 2014
Cubs Opinion- Pitchers
By Kevin McDonald, Tribune Sports Editor
First off, I'm not saying anything to fault the bullpen, they've been playing great. I wish I could have said that last year. But the days of the "Blow the Lead Squad" seem to be over at least for now.
But now, we get to the real crux of the Cubs' problems. The starting pitching sucks.
I mean, seriously. It may be because the offense can't get any runs going, but two of the guys have been at best inconsistent. Even Travis Wood, who's been our best starter so far, has been shaky. (Does "allowing Pirates to come back from 3 down" spring to mind?) Take Jeff Samardzija, our so-called ace. Take a look at these performances.
6.1 IP, 1 run, 4 hits, L
6.0 IP, 1 run, 2 hits, W
2.0 IP, 5 run, 7 hits, L
A 2 inning game with 5 runs in those innings? Not gonna cut it if you want to keep your number 1 spot next year. And for the record, quit throwing sliders inside. You're going to hit somebody one of these days.
Next is Edwin Jackson, our number 3 guy. He got off to a good start then managed to hurt his arm. He's only working out of the bullpen a few days until it heals.
Jake Arrieta, at the bottom of our lineup, has been ok, but he's got potential. So does Chris Rusin, who's in our bullpen (but not this week). You really can't fault them for making the same kind of mistakes that people like Samardzija or Jackson have been making because they're still young and learning. And they're both plenty cheap.
Then you've got Jason Hammel, currently our number 4. Why the Cubs decided to waste money on this man is beyond me. I know they wanted a veteran at the bottom of the lineup, but there were better choices in the offseason. Picture this: Hammel is making the same amount of money as Samardzija and Jackson, and as much as Anthony Rizzo and Darwin Barney combined. 2.5 million is TOO DAMN MUCH for a bottom of the rotation guy! He's not the same person he was with the Orioles a few years back. My advice to GM Sam Wiseman: as soon as you can, get rid of him.
Now the Cubs do need an additional pitcher, so I suggest they go out shopping sooner or later. Might come in handy.
Kevin McDonald is a beat reporter for the Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @KevinMcDonald121.
Cubs Come Back to take Game 3 of Chicago-St. Louis Series
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 13, 2013
ST. LOUIS- Needing to rebound in a big way, the Chicago Cubs (4-7) came into the last game of their series with the St. Louis Cardinals (4-7) hungry. And their mentality paid off. They would send Travis Wood (2-0) to the mound against Michael Wacha (1-1).
Wood, last year an All-Star, began rolling, setting down the first eight he faced without allowing a hit. The Cubs managed to get two on in the second and load the bases in the third, but could not score any.
The breakthrough came in the fourth for Chicago. After Darwin Barney singled, catcher Welington Castillo would hit a deep double to center, putting the first run on the board. Mike Olt then singled, but Justin Ruggiano created doubt about a bigger lead when he struck out. Outfielder Ryan Sweeney then lined to left, clearing the bases and putting the Cubs up 3-0. A home run by Anthony Rizzo to begin the fifth saw the end of Wacha's day.
But the Cardinals came roaring back. In the sixth, after putting two men on, Allen Craig hit into a double play. Nonetheless, Chris Carpenter scored from 3rd ending the shutout. It only got more interesting in the bottom of the sixth. With Pedro Strop pitching, Yadier Molina hit a bomb to center that reduced the lead to 2. Next, rookie Randal Grichuk got on base with a line drive and stole second. He hurt his arm sliding into third on a Jhonny Peralta groundout, prompting Peter Bourjos to come in for the injured rookie. Despite there being two out, Jon Jay grounded to left, scoring Bourjos. The lead was now 1.
Luckily, the Cubs bullpen managed to hold the damage there. The middle relievers have been pitching their hearts out lately, and Blake Parker held the Redbirds scoreless in the eighth, prompting Jose Veras to come in and earn his 3rd save of the season.
Darwin Barney was the Cubs' best offensive performer today, going 2-for-4. Ryan Sweeney, who hasn't seen a lot of playing time lately, also had a good game: 2-for-5 with 2 RBI. Nate Schierholtz, who also hasn't seen a lot of the field recently, did the opposite, going 0-for-4. On the other side of the baseball, Chris Carpenter hit for one double, the Cardinals' biggest hit of this game. However, Matt Holliday has been kept quiet in the series, not managing a hit and striking out 6 times.
The Cubs will travel to New York City on the 15th and 16th for a two-game interleague series against the Yankees. Then, they will return to Wrigley to host the Reds. The Cardinals have it tough as they will return home for a series against the division-leading Brewers and then a four-game interleague series against the Diamondbacks. St. Louis does not have a day off until May 1st.
Andrew Kovalchuk covers the NL Central for MLB.com. He also writes for Sporting News and SBNation.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||||||
| Apr 13, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago (4-7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
| St. Louis (4-7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Wood (3-0) L: Wacha (L, 1-1) S: Veras (3) | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | CHC | STL | ||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Ruggiano, CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .171 |
| Sweeney, LF | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .241 |
| Castro, SS | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .244 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .167 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .240 |
| Barney, 2B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .268 |
| Castillo, C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .187 |
| Olt, 3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .162 |
| Wood, P | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .200 |
| Kalish, OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .200 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 37 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Castillo (1) HR: Rizzo (2) RBI: Rizzo (4), Sweeney 2 (3), Castillo (3) SAC: Wood | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Sweeney (1) | ||||||||
| St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Carpenter, 3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .356 |
| Ellis, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .132 |
| Craig, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Adams, 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .171 |
| Holliday, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .250 |
| Molina, C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .286 |
| Grichuk, CF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .429 |
| r-s- Bourjos, CF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| Peralta, SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Wacha, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| Taveras, OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .282 |
| Jay, OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 33 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Carpenter (3), Peralta (4) HR: Molina (2) RBI: Molina (2), Jay (4) GIDP: Craig | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Grichuk (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Wood (W, 3-0) | 6.1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Strop (H, 1) | 0.2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6.35 |
| Parker (H, 3) | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.15 |
| Wright (H, 3) | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Veras (S, 3) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Wacha (L, 1-1) | 4.0 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4.00 |
| Garcia | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.57 |
| Neshek | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.66 |
| Choate | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.29 |
| Motte | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5.40 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | |
Wainwright Pitches Shutout as Cards Take Series
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 12, 2014
ST. LOUIS- The Cubs (4-6) were shut out today by a masterful performance from Cardinals' (3-7) pitcher Adam Wainwright (0-2).
The Cubs couldn't get anything going in the early innings. On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals jumped on Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija (1-1), scoring one in the first and four in the second. Samardzija would hit the showers early as Edwin Jackson was called in to pitch, but he too gave up four runs in the third. By the time the dust settled it was 9-0 Cardinals.
Wainwright continued his masterful performance and pitched a complete game, only allowing a hit to Ryan Sweeney. At the end, Wainwright had this to say: "I feel great and it was great out there. It's a nice way to recover after two losses."
"Nice" may be putting it a little two mildly after a one-hitter. Game 3 is Sunday.
Andrew Kovalchuk is an independent journalist who covers the NL Central for MLB.com. He also writes for Sporting News and SBNation.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||||||
| Apr 12, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago (4-6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| St. Louis (3-7) | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 9 | 12 | 1 |
| W: Wainwright (1-2) L: Samardzija (1-2) S: N/A | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | CHC | STL | ||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .270 |
| Sweeney, LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .208 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .154 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .238 |
| Olt, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .152 |
| Castillo, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .179 |
| Barney, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .243 |
| Samardzija, P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Lake, OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 |
| Kalish, OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| BASERUNNING: SB: Castro (3) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Castro (3) | ||||||||
| St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Carpenter, 3B | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .366 |
| Taveras, CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .289 |
| Craig, RF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .273 |
| Adams, 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .162 |
| Holliday, LF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .278 |
| Molina, C | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .290 |
| Peralta, SS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| Ellis, 2B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .143 |
| Wainwright, P | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 35 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Carpenter (2), Craig 2 (6) RBI: Carpenter 3 (6), Craig 2 (8), Adams (7), Ellis (4), Taveras (5) SF: Craig, Ellis | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Holliday (1) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Craig (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Samardzija (L, 1-2) | 2.0 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5.40 |
| Jackson | 3.0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1.50 |
| Parker | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4.50 |
| Russell | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6.75 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 8.0 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 0 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Wainwright (W, 1-2) | 9.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 5.60 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
Friday, June 6, 2014
Cardinals Win it Late after Cubs Battle Back
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 11, 2014
ST. LOUIS- The two teams at the bottom of the NL Central battled today, as the Cubs (4-5) took on the Cardinals (2-7). The Cards would send Joe Kelly (1-0) to the mound against Jake Arrieta (0-1).
Both teams struck early, as the Cardinals scored a run in the first and the Cubs answered in the second. St. Louis would regain the lead off a double, and that would be the last either team would see of runs until the later innings.
In the ninth, the Cardinals brought out Trevor Rosenthal to close it down. Then things went south. With 1 out, Chicago shortstop Starlin Castro doubled, and Nate Schierholtz walked after Anthony Rizzo struck out. With 2 out, 3B Luis Valbuena grounded to first in what should have ended the game, but Matt Adams could not get his glove to it. Castro bolted for home from second. The throw came in, but it was off line, tying the game. Darwin Barney then walked. But the Cubs failed to take a golden opportunity when pinch hitter Junior Lake grounded out with the bases full.
And that may have killed the Cubs. With Pedro Strop pitching, two batters were retired but All-Star catcher Yadier Molina walked. Then on 3-2, Mark Ellis, who had been 0-for-3 so far, doubled to center, scoring Molina, ending the game, and giving the Cardinals the advantage in the series.
Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly said afterwards, "I think both teams really played well, but there's really only one winner. Hats off to them, but we got the lucky breaks. That's baseball for you, really."
Many players took an 0-for in today's ballgame, including Cardinal Matt Adams and Cub Justin Ruggiano. Castro's scoreline was unique; the Cubs' SS went 2-for-4 with 2 strikeouts and the only extra-base hit of the game for the Cubs. Anthony Rizzo failed to replicate his performance from last game, going 0-for-3.
Games 2 and 3 will be tomorrow and Sunday for this weekend series.
Andrew Kovalchuk covers the NL Central for MLB.com. He also writes for Sporting News and SBNation.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||||||
| Apr 11, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago (4-5) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| St. Louis (2-7) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| W: Siegrist (W, 1-0) L: Strop (L, 0-1) S: N/A | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | CHC | STL | ||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Ruggiano, CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .167 |
| Sweeney, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .200 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .278 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .171 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .278 |
| Valbuena, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .250 |
| Barney, 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .265 |
| Baker, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .273 |
| Lake, RF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .211 |
| Arrieta, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Bonifacio, CF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .294 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 31 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Castro (1) RBI: Barney (4) GIDP: Valbuena | ||||||||
| St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Carpenter, 3B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| Taveras, CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .265 |
| Craig, RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .250 |
| Adams, 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .182 |
| Holliday, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .281 |
| Molina, C | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .286 |
| Peralta, SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .313 |
| Ellis, 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .125 |
| Kelly, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .167 |
| Jay, CF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .273 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 32 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Peralta (3), Craig (4), Ellis (1) 3B: Carpenter (1) RBI: Craig 2 (6), Ellis (3) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Adams (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Arrieta | 6.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4.91 |
| Villanueva | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.93 |
| Russell | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7.71 |
| Wright | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 8.2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 0 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Kelly | 7.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 1.72 |
| Motte (H, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Rosenthal (BS, 1) | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Siegrist (W, 1-0) | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.86 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 0 | |
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Cubs Win Extra Inning Thriller off Rizzo Solo Shot
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 10, 2014
CHICAGO- We thought the Cubs (3-5) were going to lose this game multiple times to the Pirates (5-3), but ultimately they didn't. And whether it's by a dominating blowout or a scrappy comeback, winning is the only thing that matters in baseball.
As expected, the Cubs gave up a run in the first, after Pirates LF Starling Marte singled to start off the ballgame. Although Jason Hammel (0-1) managed to work the next three batters out, they were all productive outs and sent the runner home, Unlike in the last few games, the Cubs would answer in the second. After Welington Castillo walked and advanced to second on a double play, the so-far quiet Anthony Rizzo came up big, slapping a grounder up the middle to tie the game.
Both pitchers, Hammel and Jeff Locke (0-0) shut it down in the middle innings, but again, the Pirates would strike first. With Andrew McCutchen on first, third baseman Pedro Alvarez doubled, making it 2-1 Pirates. But again the Cubs would equalize, off the bat of Rizzo. With Starlin Castro on third and two down, Rizzo hit a hard line drive over the first baseman's head that would nestle in the corner, earning him two bases and Castro a trip home.
Cubs veteran reliever Carlos Villanueva put in good work in the sixth and seventh, giving Chicago a chance to take the lead. After getting the first man out to start the bottom of the seventh, Bucco reliever Jared Hughes left the mound with an injury. Bryan Morris came in and would give up a hit to PH Nate Schierholtz and a bunt single to Emilio Bonifacio, putting the Cubs in a promising situation. But 2B Darwin Barney struck out, and Starlin Castro's ground ball that may have scored a runner on a fielder's choice the previous at-bat simply ended the inning.
With the eighth approaching, RHP Blake Parker took over on the mound. After getting the first batter out, Neil Walker tripled off the ivy in left center. The next batter sacrifice flied him home, and the fans at Wrigley began to leave for the exits.
With the bottom of the ninth looming and Pirates closer Jason Grilli in, it was do or die time for the Cubs. Their first batter, pinch hitter Ryan Kalish, hit for a single and Bonifacio bunted him over. With one away, Darwin Barney was intentionally walked to set up the double play. Luis Valbuena pinch ran for Barney, and immediately Castro lined to right, blowing Grilli's first save of the year. But the Cubs weren't able to get the winning run as it went into extra innings.
For the extras, Chicago lefthander James Russell was summoned to pitch against Pittsburgh righty Edinson Volquez. One pitcher had been jumped on in yesterday's game, and the other had not pitched yet this season. You can believe fans on both sides were biting their fingernails. It went to twelve innings, but in the bottom of the 12th with one away, it was Rizzo who uncorked a ball to straightaway center, giving the Cubs a thrilling victory in extra innings and their first series win of the year.
For both teams, recently struggling players turned it around. Anthony Rizzo, boasting a .087 average before this, went 4-for-5 and won the game for his team. On the other hand, Pedro Alvarez got his first hit...or hits, should I say, as he went 4-for-5 as well with 2 RBI. On the other hand, it was disappointing for the Cubs to see Mike Olt go 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
The Cubs will travel to Saint Louis to play the Cardinals tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday, and then play a 2-game interleague series at Yankee Stadium against New York. For the Pirates, they will play two away series in the next six days, first against the division-leading Brewers and the second-place Reds.
Andrew Kovalchuk is an independent journalist who covers the NL Central for MLB.com. He also writes for Sporting News and SBNation.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Pirates at Cubs | | |||||||||||||
| Apr 10, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Extras | R | H | E |
| Pittsburgh (5-3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 0 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Chicago (3-5) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 0 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| W: Russell (1-0) L: Volquez (L, 0-1) S: N/A | |||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | PIT | CHC | ||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Marte, LF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .176 |
| Polanco, RF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .364 |
| McCutchen, CF | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .206 |
| Alvarez, 3B | 5 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .118 |
| Walker, 2B | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .300 |
| Martin, C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .357 |
| Tabata, LF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .444 |
| s- Santos, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Sanchez, 1B | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .194 |
| Mercer, SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .179 |
| Locke, P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 |
| Hanson, SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .143 |
| Volquez, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 42 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Alvarez 2 (2) 3B: Walker (1) RBI: Alvarez 2 (3), Tabata (2) SF: Alvarez, Tabata GIDP: Polanco | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Marte (1) CS: Martin (1) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: PB: Martin (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, RF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .303 |
| Barney, 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .258 |
| r-Valbuena, 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .375 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .250 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .187 |
| Castillo, C | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .200 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ,187 |
| Olt, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .167 |
| Sweeney, LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Hammel, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Lake, LF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .222 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .267 |
| Kalish, LF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Baker, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .375 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 42 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 1 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Rizzo (1) HR: Rizzo (1) RBI: Castro (7), Rizzo 2 (3), Sweeney (1) GIDP: Castillo, Olt | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Bonifacio (4) | ||||||||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Locke | 5.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3.60 |
| Wilson (BS, 1) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.25 |
| Hughes | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Morris | 0.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Melancon (H, 2) | 0.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10.80 |
| Watson (H, 3) | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Grilli (BS, 1) | 0.1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.86 |
| Volquez (L, 0-1) | 3.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1.80 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 11.1 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 1 | |
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Hammel | 5.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4.91 |
| Villanueva | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.25 |
| Parker | 0.2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Strop | 1.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.15 |
| Wright | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Russell (W, 1-0) | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8.10 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 12.0 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0 | |
Friday, May 30, 2014
Good News for Cubs on Jackson Injury
By Arnold Scheffbaum, Tribune Baseball Correspondent, April 10, 2014
CHICAGO- After Edwin Jackson left yesterday's game against the Pirates clutching his elbow, many fans assumed the worst. However, for a team that has not had much luck to open up the season, anyone could see the Cubs got extremely lucky after an MRI scan of Jackson's elbow revealed no serious damage.
Dr. Sam Franklin, Chicago's head therapist, had this to say: "We are pleased to report that Edwin Jackson has not sustained serious damage to his elbow. Although the injury may have appeared serious at first, we believe that it was no more than a muscle cramp. This was probably brought on by a combination of cold temperatures and dehydration. Edwin is cleared to start training and will return to compete at his manager's discretion."
This had to come as good news to all Cub fans worldwide. The pitching staff hadn't been looking good to open up the season, and losing one of their top three starters may have put them in a hole from which they could not climb out of. We'll all anticipate the return of Edwin Jackson to the mound.
Arnold Scheffbaum has been the Tribune's baseball correspondent for over 30 years. He is a Chicago native and lives with his wife, his daughter, and her two children.
Pirates Blow Out Cubs with 3 HR, Jackson Injured
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 9, 2014
CHICAGO- After a win last night, the Chicago Cubs (3-4) were looking for the same tonight. Everything seemed to be going well: Edwin Jackson (0-1) (facing Wandy Rodriguez [1-0]), who had struggled in his first outing, was pitching his heart out, and the Cubs were getting runners on base. But they were not coming around to score. Then Jackson got hurt.
On a 1-1 pitch to start the fifth, Jackson delivered a strike, but immediately doubled over clutching his elbow. The trainers had to escort him off the field, as he may have a torn ligament or muscle that may require surgery, a huge blow early in the season. If ever a team's needs were to be addressed this early on, Chicago needs another pitcher and they need one now. Chris Rusin was brought in to replace Jackson: with the injury, Rusin will move into the rotation for now.
Rusin pitched well but could not halt a run from coming around in the sixth. Then things really went south. In the seventh, a moon shot off of Russell Martin's bat for a two-run HR brought the lead to 3-0. Then, the bullpen suffered a major collapse. Lefty James Russell could not stop LF Starling Marte and 1B Gaby Sanchez from hitting two major bombs, giving the Pirates a 10-0 lead before it was all said and done. The Cubs got a couple consolation runs, including a two-run homer from Justin Ruggiano, but in the end, they were humiliated in front of their own fans.
One positive to take away from this game for the Cubs, if you could even call it that, would be that Junior Lake and Mike Olt both appear to be warming up after a disappointing first few games. On the other hand, Pedro Alvarez is still without a hit for the Pirates this season. Incredibly disappointing.
Game 3 of the series is tomorrow; you can catch it on WGN America at 1:00 PM.
Andrew Kovalchuk is an independent journalist who covers the NL Central for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||||
| Apr 9, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Pittsburgh (4-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| Chicago (3-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
| W: Rodriguez (2-0) L: Rusin (L, 0-1) S: N/A | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | PIT | CHC | ||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Marte, LF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .172 |
| Polanco, RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .393 |
| McCutchen, CF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .241 |
| Alvarez, 3B | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .000 |
| Walker, 2B | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .320 |
| Martin, C | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .346 |
| Sanchez, 1B | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .192 |
| Mercer, SS | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .167 |
| Rodriguez, P | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 36 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 3 | |
| BATTING: HR: Marte (1), Martin (1), Sanchez (1) RBI: Rodriguez (1), Marte 3 (7), Mercer (1), Walker 2 (8), Martin 2 (6), Sanchez (4) HBP: Martin SAC: Rodriguez GIDP: Polanco | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Polanco 2 (2) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Sanchez (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .286 |
| Barney, 2B | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .296 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .222 |
| Castillo, C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .150 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .074 |
| Lake, LF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .235 |
| Olt, 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .192 |
| Jackson, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Rusin, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Sweeney, LF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 34 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| BATTING: HR: Ruggiano (2) RBI: Barney 2 (3), Ruggiano (2) | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: CS: Castro (2) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Olt (2) | ||||||||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Rodriguez | 8.2 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3.95 |
| Watson | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Jackson | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rusin (L, 0-1) | 2.2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4.76 |
| Villanueva | 0.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Russell | 1.0 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11.57 |
| Parker | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.06 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 3 | |
Skulina first injury victim of Cubs' young season
By Michael Andrews, Sports Correspondent, April 8, 2014
CHICAGO- While the injury bug may have not bitten the major league Cubs yet, it found its first victim in Double-A. On the 7th of the month, the Tennessee Smokies finished up their opening 5-game series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Tyler Skulina, a second-year pitching prospect out of Kent State, started the first two innings without a hitch, but a ground ball in the top of the third with two away pegged him on the right side of his ribs underneath his throwing arm. Skulina appeared to shake off the discomfort and threw a few more pitches, but a swelling on the obliques forced him to exit the game.
Later today, the Cubs have announced their intention to place Skulina on the 15-day disabled list, calling up Ivan Pineyro from Class-A to be his replacement. Double-A Tennessee Smokies manager Buddy Bailey confirmed that the injury was not serious, but "We wanted to play it safe. Tyler has shown some signs of discomfort after being hit by the baseball and we want to make sure he is 100% before he starts throwing again. Had he been a position player, we probably wouldn't have put him in the position, but with a pitcher, you can't afford to have a little injury turn into a large one."
Michael Andrews writes for the Tribune mainly about Chicago sports. He lives in Greene Point with his wife and two children and is a die-hard Cubs fan. Follow him on Twitter at @Mike_Andrews67.
Transactions around the MLB: 3/30-4/5
4/2
Reds
Placed C Brayan Pena on 15-day DL.
Recalled C Tucker Barnhart from Triple-A Louisville.
Red Sox
Placed RF Shane Victorino on 15-day DL.
Recalled LF Mike Carp from Triple-A Pawtucket.
4/3
Braves
Placed RF Joey Terdoslavich on 15-day DL.
Promoted LF Josh Elander from Class-A Myrtle Beach to Double-A Mississippi.
Promoted CF Cedric Hunter from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Cubs
Purchased the contract of SP Tsuyoshi Wada from Triple-A Iowa.
Placed RP Zach Rosscup on outright assignment waivers.
Padres
Placed SP Casey Kelly on 15-day DL.
Promoted RP Rob Johnson from Class-A Lake Elsinore to Double-A San Antonio.
Promoted RP Jorge Reyes from Double-A San Antonio to Triple-A El Paso.
Reds
Promoted 3B Seth Mejia-Bream from Class A-Lynchburg to Double-A Pensacola.
Promoted C Bryan Anderson from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Louisville.
Red Sox
Placed LF Mike Carp on 60-day DL.
Promoted SS Jose Vinicio from Class-A Salem to Double-A Portland.
Promoted LF Aaron King from Class-A Salem to Double-A Portland.
Promoted SS Deven Marrero from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Promoted RF Henry Ramos from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Recalled 2B Ryan Roberts from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Purchased the contract of 2B Ryan Roberts from Triple-A Pawtucket.
4/4
Astros
Placed 3B Jonathan Meyer on 15-day DL.
Promoted SS Carlos Correa from Class-A Lancaster to Double-A Corpus Christi.
Promoted SS Joe Sclafani from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Brewers
Placed SP Johnny Hellweg on 15-day DL.
Promoted RP Jeremy Jeffress from Class-A Brevard County to Double-A Huntsville.
Pirates
Placed SP Brandon Cumpton on 15-day DL.
Promoted RP Vin Mazzaro from Class-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona.
Promoted SP Jameson Taillon from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Recalled RP Bryan Morris from Triple-A Indianapolis.
4/5
Cardinals
Placed CF Rafael Ortega on 15-day DL.
Promoted CF Charlie Tilson from Class-A Palm Beach to Double-A Springfield.
Promoted CF James Ramsey from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis.
Cubs
Outrighted RP Zach Rosscup to Class-A Daytona.
Tigers
Placed LF Rajai Davis on 15-day DL.
Promoted C Austin Green from Class-A Lakeland to Double-A Erie.
Promoted 2B Devon Travis from Double-A Erie to Triple-A Toledo.
Recalled RF Steven Moya from Triple-A Toledo.
Site last updated 16:00:00 GMT 04/08/14. Team names are registered trademarks of Major League Baseball, Inc. Copyright 1984-2014 ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Cubs Bust it Open Late en Route to Third Win
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 8, 2014
CHICAGO- Coming off a big win against the Phillies, the Chicago Cubs (2-4) came into this game looking for the next step on the road back to .500. And boy, did they sure get it with this game.
Starter Travis Wood (1-0) looked great through the innings he pitched, going six full only allowing four hits. However, a double in the second by Pirate 1B Gaby Sanchez later came around to score, and it looked like it may be another one of "those days" after the Cubs were shut down through five by Francisco Liriano (0-1).
That is, until the sixth. With two on, a succession of singles by such players as Starlin Castro, Junior Lake, and Mike Olt drove in four runs. The Pirates eventually got out of the inning and established a 1-2-3 seventh, but the damage was done. The game would be sealed in the eighth after Buccos reliever Mark Melancon gave up a single to Darwin Barney and walked third baseman Olt. With two away, Castro hit a three-run homer to put the game to bed. The Cubs bullpen continued their fine play, with Blake Parker, Wesley Wright, and Pedro Strop putting in three scoreless innings of work.
Despite their excellent play today, Anthony Rizzo was once again disappointing, not managing a hit in 3 AB. On the other side of the ball, Pedro Alvarez has been sorely disappointing to start this year, not managing even one hit in six ballgames.
Games 2 and 3 are tomorrow and the 10th.
Andrew Kovalchuk covers the NL Central for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||||
| Apr 8, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Pittsburgh (4-2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Chicago (2-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | x | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Wood (2-0) L: Liriano (0-1) S: N/A | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | PIT | CHC | ||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Marte, LF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .125 |
| Polanco, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .417 |
| McCutchen, CF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 |
| Alvarez, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .000 |
| Sanchez, 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .182 |
| Mercer, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .100 |
| Walker, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .350 |
| Martin, C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .348 |
| Liriano, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| Tabata, LF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .444 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Sanchez 2 (2) RBI: Walker (6) SF: Walker | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .292 |
| Barney, 2B | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .318 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .292 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .208 |
| Castillo, C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .187 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .083 |
| Lake, LF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .143 |
| Olt, 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .182 |
| Wood, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Valbuena, 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .429 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 32 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| BATTING: HR: Castro (2) RBI: Castro 3 (6), Lake (1), Valbuena (1), Castillo (2), Olt (1) SF: Castillo SAC: Wright | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Bonifacio (3) | ||||||||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Liriano (L, 0-1) | 5.2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 5.91 |
| Hughes | 0.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Morris | 0.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Melancon | 1.1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11.57 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 8.0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Wood (W, 2-0) | 6.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 2.31 |
| Parker (H, 2) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.23 |
| Wright (H, 2) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Strop | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 0 | |
Cubs Propelled to Victory off the Back of Castro Home Run
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 6, 2014
CHICAGO- The fans today at Wrigley Field weren't expecting anything special. After all, the Cubs (1-4) had already lost the series. Jeff Samardzija (0-1) was looking decent but hardly inspiring. And when the ball met the bat of Phillies (2-3) first baseman Ryan Howard in the top of the second, all the fans in the crowd groaned, knowing it was a home run before it left the park.
Good teams may have been able to pull one back, but 14 hits in three games is not the mark of a good team. And with the struggles the Cubs offense, especially Anthony Rizzo, Welington Castillo, and rookie Mike Olt, had been having, the one-run lead felt like five to the fans on the North Side of Chicago. Immediately after the homer, murmurs swept the crowd. Would Samardzija lose it in the second? Would he put the game out of reach as the two previous starters had done? Thankfully Samardzija recovered on the mound, and one other hit would be all he would allow in his tenure on the rubber.
The Cubs may have had a good chance in the fourth. With two on, a perfectly-placed sacrifice would put two into scoring position. Any ball in play, bar a pop-up, would tie the game, maybe even put the Cubs in the lead. But Emilio Bonifacio struck out with one away, and the ground ball that would have plated Baker at third didn't mean anything with two outs.
Then it happened. You may have said that it didn't look like Phillies lefty Cliff Lee (0-1) had been bringing his best stuff. The Cubs had managed a few hits, but none that mattered. Then it happened in the sixth. With two outs, Darwin Barney squeezed a ground ball between the first and second basemen. Then, shortstop Starlin Castro stepped to the plate. While he is a top player of the future, Castro hasn't shown very much clutch with 2 down. But that didn't matter today. On the 1-2 pitch, Lee laid in a cut fastball and Castro connected with a mighty swing that sent the ball to the heavens. Within seconds of the baseball plunking down in the upper deck, Wrigley was rocking.
And rocking it stayed, as Samardzija continued his good form through seven innings, posting three 0-0-0s and striking out six. The bullpen, who have been good with the lead so far, kept up the work as closer Jose Veras collected his second save of the season.
Several of the Cubs who have been struggling so far, like Rizzo and Castillo, came through with a hit today. Not so for Junior Lake, who struck out three times in his 0-for-4 day. On the other side of the ball, the Phillies were held to only two hits thanks to seven solid innings from Jeff Samardzija. His performance is a great way to restore Chicago's confidence in their starters, who have not looked at all impressive early this season.
Following this, the Cubs will play host to the Pirates on the 8th, 9th, and 10th after getting tomorrow off. The Phillies will also be at home, as they take on the Brewers in interdivision play on the 7th, 9th, and 10th.
Andrew Kovalchuk is an independent journalist who covers the NL Central for MLB.com. He also writes for Sporting News and SBNation.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||||
| Apr 6, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Philadelphia (2-3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Chicago (1-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | x | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Samardzija (1-1) L: Lee (0-2) S: Veras (2) | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | PHI | CHC | ||
| Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Revere, CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .240 |
| Gwynn Jr., LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .208 |
| Byrd, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .167 |
| Howard, 1B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .364 |
| Utley, 2B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .238 |
| Ruiz, C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .286 |
| Rollins, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .105 |
| Asche, 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .111 |
| Nieves, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Lee, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Mayberry Jr., RF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| s- Altherr, 3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 29 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | |
| BATTING: HR: Howard (3) RBI: Howard (5) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .300 |
| Barney, 2B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .294 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .250 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .238 |
| Lake, LF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .091 |
| Olt, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .111 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .095 |
| Baker, C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| Samardzija, P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Castillo, C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .154 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 29 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | |
| BATTING: HR: Castro (1) RBI: Castro 2 (3) SAC: Samardzija (2) | ||||||||
| Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Lee (L, 0-2) | 7.0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 8.10 |
| Adams | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.08 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 8.0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | |
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Samardzija (W, 1-1) | 7.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2.08 |
| Wright (H, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Veras (S, 2) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | |
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Philadelphia's Pitching Flummoxes Chicago on Way to Easy Victory
By Malik Danielson, MLB.com Journalist, April 5, 2014
CHICAGO- The Cubs were hoping for some good luck after the loss to Philadelphia yesterday. Unfortunately, what they got was anything but. Two righthanders would start, as the Cubs sent promising Jake Arrieta (0-0) to the mound against Philadelphia's largely unheralded summer signing Roberto Hernandez (0-0).
The first inning almost seemed to be a repeat of yesterday, as outfielders Ben Revere and Tony Gwynn Jr. reached on infield singles. A neatly-designed double steal took the double play out of contention, and a grounder from Marlon Byrd scored one. A sacrifice fly from first baseman Ryan Howard would plate the second. That would be all, as Chase Utley grounded to second to end the inning.
Roberto Hernandez came into the game like he had something to prove, setting down the Cubs in the first, second, and third, and allowing only one hit to Luis Valbuena, replacing Darwin Barney at second today. Arrieta settled down and blanked the Phillies in the second and third, but could not prevent two more runs from coming home after a walk, a double by Utley, a ground ball, and a sacrifice fly by All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
The Cubs were blanked for the fourth and fifth, despite managing to load the bases in the fifth. In the top, Arrieta prevented any further damage. In the sixth, Chris Rusin replaced Arrieta. Rusin has been getting some longer relief appearances due to the Cubs rotation's struggles, and he delivered, pitching two perfect innings. The Cubs would finally strike in the bottom of the seventh. After 3B Mike Olt reached on an error by Cody Asche, Welington Castillo walked. Justin Ruggiano, pinch hitting, would continue his slight streak as he singled, loading the bases. Unlike the fifth, the Cubs would barely take advantage of it. Emilio Bonifacio grounded to second in what looked like a sure double play, but just managed to beat the throw, scoring Castillo.
That would be all for the Cubs. Lefty James Russell put in a good performance last game and was rewarded with two innings of relief, in which he did not allow a single hit. Unfortunately, the same was true for the Phillies bullpen, allowing Jonathan Papelbon an easy save for his first of the year.
After being on a bit of a hot streak, Emilio Bonifacio went 0-for-3 today. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road and he can return to being a presence at the top of the lineup. Luis Valbuena was the only member of the starting lineup who got a hit today. Surprisingly, none of the Phillies had more than one hit apiece, but they took advantage of their baserunners. The pitchers combined only had three strikeouts between them.
It may be early in the year, but it's fair to say the Cubs may need some help in the bottom of their rotation, and adding a bat won't hurt, either.
Game 3 is tomorrow at 1:05.
Malik Danielson is an independent journalist who writes for both MLB.com and Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter at @Mtheking93.
| Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||||
| Apr 5, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Philadelphia (1-3) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Chicago (1-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| W: Hernandez (1-0) L: Arrieta (0-1) S: Papelbon (1) | ||||||||||||
| Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Revere, CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .286 |
| Gwynn Jr., LF | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Byrd, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 |
| Howard, 1B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .389 |
| Utley, 2B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .263 |
| Ruiz, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .278 |
| Rollins, SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 |
| Asche, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .118 |
| Hernandez, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Nieves, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 28 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Utley (2) RBI: Rollins (1), Howard (4), Byrd (3), Ruiz (1) SF: Rollins, Howard | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Revere (2), Gwynn Jr. (1) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Asche (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, CF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .375 |
| Sweeney, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .182 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .056 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .214 |
| Olt, 3B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .133 |
| Castillo, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .083 |
| Valbuena, 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Arrieta, P | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Lake, LF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .294 |
| Kalish, LF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 31 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 0 | |
| BATTING: RBI: Bonifacio (5) SAC: Arrieta | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Castro (2) | ||||||||
| Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Hernandez (W, 1-0) | 7.0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Bastardo (H, 1) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Papelbon (S, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Arrieta (L, 0-1) | 5.0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7.20 |
| Rusin | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Russell | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
Hammel Can't Get it Together as Cubs Lose 4-2
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 4, 2014
CHICAGO- After dropping a series to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs came home to Wrigley hoping to get back on track. Unfortunately, they did not put a smile on the home fans' faces today against the 0-3 Philadelphia Phillies. The Cubs would send Jason Hammel (0-0) to the mound against Kyle Kendrick (0-0).
It got rough for the Cubs early on, as the big righthander would allow consecutive hits to Ben Revere and Tony Gwynn Jr. With no outs, a ball was grounded to second that may have turned to, but Darwin Barney's throw to second was off, loading the bases. Ryan Howard then drew a walk on a 3-1, sending the first run home. With still nobody out, Chase Utley grounded into right, scoring another, but getting Marlon Byrd out at home. Catcher Carlos Ruiz lined to right, but Ryan Howard was cut down at home when he attempted to run on a wild pitch. SS Jimmy Rollins would then pop up behind the plate to end the first.
On the other side, Kyle Kendrick was perfect for the Phils, allowing only one man to reach base on an error. Hammel settled down in the second with a 1-2-3 inning, but added more in the 3rd after Marlon Byrd doubled to score Gwynn, who walked in the previous at bat. With no away, Chase Utley grounded to second for the out, but the Cubs could not stop Byrd from coming around, making it 4-0. This prompted manager Rick Renteria to get the long reliever, Chris Rusin, up in the bullpen. Already in a hole, the Cubs' offense wasn't making Hammel's job any easier. Hammel and Justin Ruggiano both singled in the bottom of the third, but were erased after a double play ball off the bat of LF Ryan Sweeney.
The fourth was uneventful for either team, although the Cubs blew an opportunity after shortstop Starlin Castro, who singled, was gunned down trying to take second. In the fifth, the WGN crew covering the game thought it would be the end of Hammel's day after he gave up consecutive hits with two away, but Utley popped out to retire the side. The same thing happened in the sixth when two runners were sacrifice bunted onto second and third, but Rollins grounded out to leave Hammel with at least a quality start. His day would end when he was pinch hit for by Emilio Bonifacio, so far the only Cub to go yard this season. He would reach on a bunt and later steal second, but the Cubs couldn't make anything of it. Bonifacio was kept in the game, replacing the ineffective Ryan Sweeney.
The Cubs would finally break through in the seventh, after outfielder Nate Schierholtz and 3B Luis Valbuena, making his season debut, reached base and Darwin Barney bunted them over. Catcher John Baker, replacing Castillo in the lineup, scored one on a single and Bonifacio scored the other the same way, making it 4-2. That would be the last gasp for the Cubs, however, as the Phillies bullpen came in and shut them down. On the other side of the ball, Chase Utley hit a 3 run home run off lefthander Wesley Wright to put the final nail in the coffin. Jake Diekman picked up his first save of the year, which was surprising as most thought it would be given to Jonathan Papelbon.
Said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, incidentally a former Cub himself, "I guess we just wanted this game more than they did. We weren't particularly better than them, but we wanted to win after being 0-3."
The Cubs' bats were quiet today, as Ryan Sweeney, Darwin Barney, and Anthony Rizzo had no hits. Rizzo's form is especially worrying, as his average drops to .071 and he appears to be slumping, not something you want out of a cleanup hitter. On the other hand, Emilio Bonifacio went 2-for-2 after being substituted into the ballgame. Darwin Barney continued his worrying streak of 4 errors in as many games today as well. For the Phillies, every player in the lineup except the pitcher managed a hit, and first baseman Ryan Howard had a perfect day, going 4-for-4.
Games 2 and 3 are on Saturday and Sunday.
Andrew Kovalchuk covers the NL Central for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs | ||||||||||||
| Apr 4, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Philadelphia (0-3) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 1 |
| Chicago (1-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
| W: Kendrick (1-0) L: Hammel (0-1) S: Diekman (1) | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | PHI | CHC | ||
| Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Revere, CF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .294 |
| Gwynn Jr., LF | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .235 |
| Byrd, RF | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Howard, 1B | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .437 |
| Utley, 2B | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .267 |
| Ruiz, C | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| Rollins, SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .143 |
| Asche, 3B | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .143 |
| Kendrick, P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Nieves, C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 40 | 7 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Byrd (1) HR: Utley (2) RBI: Utley 5 (8), Howard (3), Byrd (2) SAC: Kendrick GIDP: Ruiz | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Kendrick (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Ruggiano, CF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Sweeney, LF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .286 |
| Castro, SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .231 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .071 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .300 |
| Valbuena, 3B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Barney, 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .308 |
| Baker, C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Hammel, P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| s-Bonifacio, CF | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Olt, 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 32 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| BATTING: RBI: Bonifacio (4), Baker (1) SAC: Barney GIDP: Schierholtz, Sweeney | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Bonifacio (2) CS: Castro (1) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Castro (2), Barney (4) | ||||||||
| Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Kendrick (W, 1-0) | 6.1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.84 |
| De Fratus (H, 1) | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Diekman (S, 1) | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Hammel (L, 0-1) | 6.0 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Rusin | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Russell | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Wright | 0.2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Villanueva | 0.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| PITCHING: WP: Hammel (1) | ||||||||
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Pirates Take Game 3 off McCutchen HR
By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, April 3, 2014
PITTSBURGH- Both the Pirates and Cubs came out to PNC Park on this Thursday afternoon looking to get a victory. In a close game, the Pirates did just that, while the Cubs were left shaking their heads after a disappointing loss. Wandy Rodriguez (0-0) would take the mound for the Buccos against Edwin Jackson (0-0).
The Cubs struck first in the very first inning, after center fielder Justin Ruggiano, who has been very quiet so far, doubled to deep left center, getting Starlin Castro home. The next few innings would be uneventful, as Jackson also allowed one hit but no runs.
Things got interesting in the fifth for both teams. With the Cubs batting, Mike Olt singled to right and got to second when Polanco mishandled the ball. After the pitcher bunted him over to 3rd, center fielder Emilio Bonifacio hit the first home run of the Cubs' season, putting them up 3-0. In the bottom, the Pirates would answer. With two away, Jose Tabata, pinch hitting for the pitcher, singled to right. Starling Marte then grounded to second in a play that should have ended the inning, but Darwin Barney committed his third error in as many games to allow Marte on base. Next, RF Gregory Polanco, already 2-for-2, hit a long double to center that brought the Pirates to within 1. Thankfully, or so the Cubs thought, the next batter was Andrew McCutchen, who had not managed a hit this series. Easy out, right? Instead, McCutchen showed off his All-Star bat as he went yard over the short fence in left, giving the Pirates the lead.
That would be it for the game, as the Cubs would not be able to drive home any runs on the Pittsburgh bullpen, which has been superb so far. Despite shutout innings by right-handers Blake Parker and Carlos Villanueva, Pedro Strop gave up a run in the eighth to catcher Russell Martin to really put the game out of reach and give Jason Grilli his first save of the season.
Said Barney after being asked about his error that may have lost the game for the Cubs, "It's tough. You work on this stuff every day in practice, but I guess the pressure has been getting to me early on this season. Of course, that doesn't excuse my performance this season, but I hope this evens out the farther we go along."
For the Pirates, rookie Gregory Polanco was outstanding today, with his RBI double arguably the catalyst for the Bucs' comeback. On the other hand, third baseman Pedro Alvarez does not yet have a hit through the first three games of 2014.
Emilio Bonifacio swung a hot bat for the Cubs today, going 3-for-4 and nearly hitting for the cycle with a single, double, and home run. On the other hand, young outfielder Junior Lake is yet to hit in 2014. Ryan Kalish made his Cubs debut pinch hitting today, but wasn't able to make anything of it.
Both teams will travel back home for their next series, as the Pirates face the Cardinals in a division matchup and the Cubs take on the Phillies in an East-Central showdown. Next, the teams will meet again in the return series from the 8th to the 10th, this time at Wrigley Field.
Andrew Kovalchuk is a sports journalist who covers the NL Central for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.
| Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||||||
| Apr 3, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago (1-1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| Pittsburgh (1-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | x | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| W: Rodriguez (1-0) L: Jackson (0-1) S: Grilli (1) | ||||||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, RF | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .400 |
| Barney, 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .400 |
| Castro, SS | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .222 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| Castillo, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .111 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .091 |
| Lake, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Olt, 3B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .182 |
| Jackson, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Kalish, LF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 33 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Bonifacio (1), Ruggiano (1) HR: Bonifacio (1) RBI: Bonifacio 2 (3), Ruggiano (1) SAC: Jackson | ||||||||
| BASERUNNING: SB: Castro (1), Bonifacio (1) | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Barney (3) | ||||||||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Marte, LF | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .077 |
| Polanco, RF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| McCutchen, CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .100 |
| Alvarez, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Walker, 2B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Martin, C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .200 |
| Sanchez, 1B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .182 |
| Mercer, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .100 |
| Rodriguez, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Tabata, LF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| s-Barmes, SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 1 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Martin (1), Polanco (1) HR: McCutchen (1) RBI: McCutchen 2 (2), Martin (1), Polanco 2 (4) HBP: Walker GIDP: McCutchen | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Polanco (1) | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Jackson (L, 0-1) | 5.0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Parker | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8.10 |
| Villanueva | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Strop | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 8.0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1 | |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Rodriguez (W, 1-0) | 5.0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5.40 |
| Hughes (H, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Watson (H, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Melancon (H, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Grilli (S, 1) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| PITCHING: WP: Rodriguez (1) | ||||||||
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Cubs Even Up Series with Close Win
By Evan Ritter, MLB.com Cubs Correspondent, April 2, 2014
PITTSBURGH- Well, Opening Day is behind us, and the season is truly underway. The Cubs and Pirates went into this game both in need of a victory to stay competitive in the NL East this year. The Pirates would send lefty Francisco Liriano (0-0) to the mound for this cold April night, and the Cubs would select a lefty of their own, 2013 All-Star Travis Wood (0-0).
The first two innings went relatively easily for the pitchers, as both men gave up one walk but allowed no hits. The Cubs struck first in the third, after promising young outfielder Junior Lake drew a walk. Liriano would recover to strike out rookie Mike Olt, but Wood sacrifice bunted to move Lake over to second. With two away, CF Emilio Bonifacio slapped a grounder down the 3rd base line, bringing the Dominican around. The next batter, Darwin Barney, would slap a double the same way, scoring the speedy Bonifacio all the way from first and giving the Cubs their first extra-base hit of the year. Shortstop Starlin Castro then hit another grounder to left field, scoring Barney to make it 3-0. After 3, the two-out rally was ended when Justin Ruggiano struck out chasing a slider to end the inning.
Wood posted zeroes in the bottom of the third (despite loading the bases) and fourth, but quite nearly lost the game for the Cubs in the fifth. After walking Pirates catcher Russell Martin, Jose Tabata came in to pinch hit for Liriano, hitting a single to center which would turn into a double after Ruggiano in center bobbled the ball. With two runners in scoring position, Starling Marte grounded to short in a play that should have been an out, but Castro threw it over the head of first baseman Anthony Rizzo, scoring Martin from 3rd. Rookie Gregory Polanco then grounded between the shortstop and third baseman, bringing Tabata home. The next batter, Andrew McCutchen, grounded into a double play to the relief of all Cubs fans in attendance, but the Pirates' tying run came home anyway. Pedro Alvarez would strike out on a fastball to end the inning.
With Jeremy Wilson pitching for the Pirates, the Cubs offense started going again after Barney singled and Castro walked. Justin Ruggiano attempted to bunt the runners over, but a miscommunication between the pitcher and catcher ended up loading the bases. However, Welington Castillo would strike out, raising the possibility of a double play ending the inning. Rizzo would end up hitting a sacrifice fly, scoring the only run of the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Travis Wood began working once again, getting the first two batters out. However, similar to yesterday, second baseman Neil Walker hit a deep fly to right for two bases and advanced to third after a wild throw from Bonifacio. That would be the end for Wood, as Carlos Villanueva would come out of the bullpen to get the final out off a Russell Martin ground ball.
The Cubs would go three up, three down to start the seventh, and had to put in Blake Parker for the bottom of the seventh. There was some concern as Parker had blown a Cubs lead the last game. However, Parker would get three straight outs, striking out the first two batters he faced. After the Cubs again went three and out against Mark Melancon to start the eighth, manager Rick Renteria would choose to keep Parker in the game, and he delivered. Parker got the first two batters to ground out and then finished off the inning by striking out Bucs first baseman Gaby Sanchez. With reliever Jared Hughes hanging an 0-0-0 in the top of the ninth, it was up to Jose Veras to deliver his first save of the season. Veras got into some trouble early after an error by Barney put a runner on base. He rebounded by striking out the next batter he faced, but then walked pinch hitter Travis Snider to put the winning run aboard. Veras would rebound spectacularly, however, as he struck out the next two batters, earning his first save and the Cubs' first win of the season.
We know he doesn't usually hit well, but Darwin Barney had a great day offensively, going 3 for 4 with an RBI double. His fielding was less impressive as he came away with two errors. Elsewhere, rookie Mike Olt failed to impress, as he is still without a hit in his first two games. The Cubs' pitching staff have done a good job keeping Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez quiet, as neither has managed a hit this series. However, Gregory Polanco managed to get the better of the Cubs today, going 2 for 4 with 1 RBI.
With the series tied at 1-1, it will be interesting to see who wants the final game more tomorrow.
Evan Ritter is a sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune and ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter at @evan_ritter2046.
| Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||||||
| Apr 2, 2014 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Chicago (0-1) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Pittsburgh (1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Wood (1-0) L: Wilson (0-1) S: Veras (1) | ||||||||||||
| Scoring Summary | ||||
| SCORING DETAILS | CHC | PIT | ||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Bonifacio, RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 |
| Barney, 2B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Castro, SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .143 |
| Ruggiano, CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .125 |
| Castillo, C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .167 |
| Rizzo, 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .143 |
| Lake, LF | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .000 |
| Olt, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .143 |
| Wood, P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Schierholtz, RF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .400 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Barney (1) RBI: Castro (1), Bonifacio (1), Rizzo (1), Barney (1) SF: Rizzo SAC: Wood GIDP: Castro, Bonifacio | ||||||||
| FIELDING: E: Castro (1), Bonifacio (1), Barney (2) | ||||||||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| HITTERS | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | HR | AVG |
| Marte, LF | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .111 |
| Polanco, RF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .375 |
| McCutchen, CF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Alvarez, 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Sanchez, 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .286 |
| Mercer, SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .143 |
| Walker, 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .375 |
| Martin, C | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| Liriano, P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Snider, RF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Tabata, LF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 33 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 0 | |
| BATTING: 2B: Walker (2), Tabata (1) RBI: Marte (3), Polanco (2) GIDP: McCutchen, Walker | ||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Wood (W, 1-0) | 5.2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3.18 |
| Villanueva (H, 1) | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Parker (H, 1) | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11.57 |
| Veras (S, 1) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 0 | |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||
| PITCHERS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA |
| Liriano | 5.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5.40 |
| Wilson (L, 0-1) | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Melancon | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Hughes | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 9.0 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 0 | |
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